Reviewed By: Tuggy Curan - RAM
Killing Gifts
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Deborah Woodworth
Class/Genre: Mystery Historical Religious Fiction Ethnic
Series: Sister Rose Callahan # 5
Killing Gifts is the first book by Deborah Woodworth that I have read. It's part of a series
featuring Shaker Eldress Rose Callahan as the reluctant detective.
Sister Rose is eldress of a Shaker Village in Kentucky, and she receives a call for help from the Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts. A local woman known to the Village has been found murdered, and the Village is frantic.
Sister Rose travels with her young friend Gennie to Massachusetts, and investigates the murder. Another murder complicates the case, Sister Rose has too many suspects.
This novel is full of Shaker beliefs and behaviours, and that is what makes this book so interesting. The Shakers believe in celibecy, and that belief becomes an important part of the plot. Author Woodworth paints an accurate picture of the Shakers and shows us their world.
The characters are believable...neither totally good or totally bad. Even Sister Rose makes mistakes. We even sympathize with the plight of the murderer who is driven by demons beyond his control. Gennie provides a bit of comic relief, as she tries to hard to help solve the mystery.
The plot was complex. I wasn't sure who the killer was until right at the end of the book. Clues point to other people as suspects, but they are cleared one by one.
The action in this book unfolds mainly by dialogue, which I prefer to constant narration. The climax catches you by surprise, and is very exciting.
All in all, a good quick read. I plan to find more of the Shaker Mysteries for myself. But, the appeal is as much the details about Shaker life as the mystery itself.
Tuggy Curan - RAM
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Tuggy Curan - RAM
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